Help! I can't get Channel 13!
Dr. D,
I live in Sheridan and everyone I know that has an HD antenna, not satellite or cable, has lost channel 13. We are unable to get a signal for all 3 HD channels. Is there something we need to do to correct this? We originally had channel 13 when we went to digital, but have not had it last week.
- Linda
Hello Linda,
Thanks for your e-mail and report.
On Friday June 12th WTHR moved our digital DTV signal from a UHF frequency to VHF channel 13 - which became available when WTHR's channel 13 analog signal was shut down. In fact we are using the same antenna and transmitter that was used for WTHR's channel 13 analog signal - the transmitter was reconfigured for digital operation. Since your converter box/DTV set is not smart enough to know that this frequency changed, you have to tell your converter box to do a channel scan - similar to the scan your box/set did when it was new to initially find digital channels. Your box/set will then go looking for digital channels and will find WTHR digital on our new frequency.
Also, we have found that a few models of DTV set/converter box require you to delete the old UHF channel 13s (13.1, 13.2 and 13.3) before scanning in the new VHF channel 13 in order for the set/box to scan in and overwrite the new WTHR digital into its memory. So first delete the old channel 13s and then re-scan the digital channels again and see if that nets reception of our VHF channel 13 digital signal.
So if you were receiving a good clear (not fuzzy or ghosty) channel 13 analog signal from WTHR and if you can receive WISH 8's digital signal (it is the other local VHF DTV signal and is broadcast at the same power level from about the same location as WTHR) you should be able to again lock in WTHR's digital signal on its new frequency. You should be using a good all channel VHF/UHF antenna.
And a few questions:
What make/model antenna are you using (if you don’t know the make/model, describe what your antenna looks like), where is it located, how old is it and does it have an amplifier?
What make/model of converter box or DTV set are you using?
Prior to Friday June 12th were you able to receive a good analog signal on channel 13 from WTHR?
How is your reception of WISH 8's digital signal? (it is the other local VHF DTV signal and is broadcast at the same power level from about the same location as WTHR)
If you'll provide answers to these questions, I'll be able to provide more specific advice.
Also please share this information with the people you know who might have lost reception of WTHR 13's digital signal since June 12th so they also can re-scan WTHR's digital signal on the new frrequency.
- Dr. D
